The announcement last week by new Local Government Minister Simeon Brown of changes to policy on water infrastructure are welcomed. They could not have been more timely.
The management of drinking water, wastewater and stormwater is a huge part of what Council does. We are developing our 2024-34 Long Term Plan for public consultation next year. Whether water is in or out makes a huge difference to our policies on rates and debt.
The law passed by the previous Government had the $750 million of Nelson water assets being taken off us in 2026. We now have certainty that this law will be repealed and need to include in our plans the cost of maintaining and improving this essential infrastructure.
It was disingenuous of the previous Government to argue it would save councils money. The reality was that in addition to a rates bill, households would have also had a water bill from the new water entity. I could cry over the more than $1 billion that has been wasted on officials, consultants and public relations related to the Three Waters policy.
We are fortunate that Nelson’s water infrastructure is in much better shape than most councils. We are indebted to previous Mayors, Councillors and staff for investing in projects such as the Maitai Dam and the Tantragee Water Treatment Plant. I worried that we would have ended up paying for upgrades for other Councils such as Wellington that have badly neglected their water networks.
I made a commitment in standing for Mayor last year that I would do all I could to ensure Nelson retained control of its water assets and I am pleased this debate is behind us.
The challenge for us now is to continue to do a good job. We have been making major upgrades this year in Rutherford Street, St Vincent Street, Awatea Place and at Saxton involving tens of millions of dollars. This expensive infrastructure is easily overlooked but, if skimped on, Nelsonians get flooded homes and sewage ends up in waterways.
We welcome public input next year on future upgrades and how we balance wise investment with keeping rates affordable.
